‘Our first target in the World Cup is to qualify for top-four’ – Mickey Arthur

'Our first target in the World Cup is to qualify for top-four' - Mickey Arthur

Lahore: Pakistan Cricket Team’s Captain Sarfaraz Ahmed and Head Coach Mickey Arthur jointly held a press conference on Monday before leaving for England.

Arthur told that the team’s first target is to qualify for top-four of the tournament, he said Pakistan have a balanced squad and will show good performance in the mega event.

“We have been struggling for World Cup for last two years and now we are fully prepared for it,” he told in a press conference, “Our team consists of balanced players with all types of variety in both bowling and batting department.”

Talking about Yasir Shah’s inclusion in the squad for England series, the head coach said, “We needed a good wrist spinner in Shadab’s absence and Yasir Shah was a good option,” he said. “Shadab is not out of the World Cup yet and is trying to recover.”

Arthur also indicates the inclusion of fast-bowler Mohammad Amir which depends on his performance against England. He also added that M Hussnain is in initial plans just to bowled out oppositions like Sri Lanka, Bangladesh, Afghanistan.

On replying to a question about the batting performance, Arhtur said, “We have done special work on improving the strike rate of the batsmen, our expectations are high from Babar Azam as he’s our best batsman in squad. We have faith in our team who will do well in WC.”

He also backed the experienced duo Mohammad Hafeez and Shoaib Malik to come good in England.

The national team will leave for the UK on April 23 where they will play England in a five-match ODI series before taking on West Indies in their first match of the Wolrd Cup on May 31 at Trent Bridge.